12. Chasing the love bug

It was her idea, which made it more magical, more desirable, when he arrived at the said spot, he has to say it surprised him to find it is true, even though it was planned ahead, but seeing is believing. There it was, a blanket she has laid down on the grass close to the bank of the river and under a large tree, and on top there was a basket which he assumed she filled with sandwiches she's prepared, and he could see the tip of a bottle of wine, but most importantly, there she was sitting gracefully on top of the blanket with a grey wool coat over her kashmir-colored dress and a pair of white wrist-long delicate gloves, her hair was pulled to the side and held in place with a fake pearl hairpin, she had her iconic umbrella laying down next her, she was looking at the running water ahead of her when she felt his gaze, she turned her head meeting his eyes instantly bringing a smile to her face.

"You're here." Haley welcomed.

"I am," Nathan confirmed moving closer to join her on the picnic she has sat up for them, "This is… nice."

She smiled, "Well, I know picnics are more of a spring and summer thing, but…"

"They are yeah, you must want to spend time with me so much to suggest a picnic in the middle of winter." He teased expecting her regular blush and shyness, however, Haley looked at him with a smile and nodded,

"Yes, I do." She smiled, "I want to spend as much time with you as possible."

It surprised him, but sent excitement rushing through his veins, he gave a chuckle and put a hand on her cheek, "Oh, Haley, I might get used to your sweat talk."

"Then get used to it."

"How am I going to tease you now?" He frowned and she gasped.

"That's your concern!" she exclaimed as he laughed, "Well, maybe it's time for the tables to turn, Nathan Scott." She said with a confident smirk.

"No, wait, what does that mean?"

She side-smirked, "We'll see, honey. Now, aren't you hungry?" she said picking up a sandwich handing it over to him, "So, Nathan, tell me," she started.

"What?"

"The other day, when we were talking about you sending messages through cocktails,"

"Yes?"

"Why do I get the feeling there was something left unsaid?"

"Pfft. That's only your imagination." He said taking a bite from his sandwich.

"Is it really?" she said skeptically.

"Yeah, totally." Although she knew he's not telling the truth, she decided to let it go for now. "You know what I realized though?"

"What?"

"That I told you about my secret long ago, and you still didn't tell me anything about yours." He smirked only intending to tease her.

Haley however, looked down nodding; she has in fact been thinking about this, and thinking that she's ready to talk, hell, she wants to talk, "You're right. What do you want to know?" she asked not really knowing where to start.

"No, you don't have to, Haley, I was just-"

"No, I want to." She sent him a reassuring smile.

"Well, in that case, everything, you tell me."

She took a deep breath sighing, "Well, this might be a little too shady, but…"

"Hey, nothing you will say can ever change how I see you." He frowned concerned on what she's going to reveal; what has Haley faced?

"My life has never been easy, Nathan." She started off, "It never was. I was born to find my dad never wanted me, and he always beat my mom, she always took the hits until he's worn out so he wouldn't turn to me. And then…" she stopped gulping down, "Then when I was ten, he died, and I thought that finally we'll be able to live a normal life, but then came my uncle claiming my mom doesn't deserve a penny that my dad owned, apparently his family was never fond of her because she was raised in an orphanage, they wanted someone from a big family like theirs."

She paused to control her cracking voice and Nathan gave her hand a squeeze.

"Anyway, my mom started fighting my uncle, and he said that if she wanted the money, she'll have to give me up, and of course she refused. One time, my uncle tried to get… physical with her, that's when she decided it was time to give up the fights as we left the whole town. We were at peace for a few years after that, and when I was fifteen, my uncle found us again, and once again started fighting with her for taking me away from them, until one day, I came home from school and found my mom lying on the ground with a puddle of blood, she wasn't moving and it looked like she has been there for a while, I tried uselessly waking her up, that's when my uncle came and he said he's going to help me, but I wasn't stupid, I knew it was him who did this to her, so, I ran away."

"Haley…" Nathan said bringing her closer to his chest wrapping his arms around her.

"I have been running away ever since, he has found me a couple of times, but I managed to escape, I like to believe he has lost track."

"I can't believe you've faced all of that so young."

"That's okay; I grew to make peace with it." She nodded with a sad chuckle; she doesn't like reliving the memories, but they are always in the back of her mind that she has finished all the tears she could cry over her past. "That's not all though…" she said hesitantly.

"What?"

"Something happened, it was this time that my uncle found me at one point, I didn't mean to, I just panicked…"

"What is it, Haley?"

"I was in my rented apartment, and he showed up, I tried to get him to leave, he didn't bother and he was trying to drag me with him against my will, I was fighting back and then… it happened so fast, I swear I didn't mean to…" she sighed, "His jacket knocked over a lit candle and he was trying to control the damage, I on the other hand ran taking everything I could take as quickly, and ran out, the fire has caught him and was spreading fast on the wooden floor, and I just… I wanted to escape, to get as far away from him… I ran; I didn't save him. He's okay though, I knew from the newspaper."

"Haley, you were scared."

"He could have died."

"It's not your fault, you did nothing; you were just scared."

"It's just… I can't shake off the guilt; especially that sometimes I wish he would have died so I wouldn't worry about him showing up all the time. It's horrible, I know, and I hate to admit it, but I know I have this darkness inside of me, it… it scares me, Nathan, I scare myself when-" she was panicking as she babbled and Nathan found himself picking her lips with his softly shutting her up.

"Haley," he whispered after breaking apart.

"Yes?"

"You are not a bad person,"

"You don't know that."

"Yes, I know you wouldn't hurt a fly." He argued, "God, with what you've been through, it's only understandable that you would hate the man."

"Hate is… strong, Nathan, it's dark."

"Yes, but, we're humans, you're allowed to hate him, Haley, you're not made of stone."

"I guess you have a point… but, the good news is, somehow, Tree Hill makes me… less worried, like it would protect me."

"I would protect you." He said with a boyish grin making her giggle smacking his chest playfully.

"So, what's on your mind?" she asked resting her head on his chest as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder; she has been really giving in to him day by day.

"You know… the other day, me and Luke learned that Keith has kept a secret from us."

"What secret?" she frowned curiously.

"That our family –well, his family was once rich like from the big families in Tree Hill. And apparently, he had a brother that's also something I never heard of."

"Maybe it was painful memories for him."

"Well, I know that we're not Scotts by blood, but we carry the name; he gave us the name, I think we had a right to know the history."

"Then, why do you think he didn't tell you?"

"I don't know, I mean, I know Keith, and he loved his family, he always told us stories about his parents, but he never mentioned a brother. There must be something, Keith wouldn't just not tell us."

"I get it. Well, do you know where's his brother?"

"No. I know nothing, not even his name, I don't know if he's dead, alive, or even if he's in town or not."

"That's… a lot of missing information." She frowned looking up at him, "I could help you if you want to know." She shrugged.

"How?"

She sat up straight and looked at him, "Nathan, there are sure ways to know about a family's history." She chuckled and he rolled his eyes.

"And you're willing to help me with that?"

"Yeah, I love digging for secrets." She smirked and it was his turn to chuckle.

"I was going to tell Lucas about it, but we had a couple of unfortunate events lately so… yeah why the hell not."

"Great, this is going to be fun." She clapped her hands together excitedly, "Speaking of, how's Lucas?"

"He's… brooding."

"Well, he broods on regular days, can't expect him not to now." She pointed out and he laughed.

"Can't argue with that. Hey, do you know what happened between him and Peyton?"

She shrugged and shook her head, "She didn't say much, she just said that she was mean to him before the accident, and apparently she was apologizing and he didn't take it well."

He sighed, "I don't why it's gong this way with them." he mumbled.

Haley nodded with a deep thinking frown, "I agree, especially that I think Peyton also likes him too."

"Yeah," Nathan nodded absentmindedly then shot his head towards her, "Wait, what did you just say?"

"I said I think Peyton like him too." She repeated.

"Too? You know Lucas likes Peyton?" he asked with a growing smirk.

Haley chuckled, "Well, I didn't at first, until Brooke Davis kept teasing Peyton about it every two sentences, and yes, it made so much sense." She explained, "So, is that a confirmation?"

He nodded, "But more like in love even though he would never admit that."

Haley gasped, "What?"

"Yeah, he's been interested ever since we were kids, me and Keith used to tease him about it all the time, but Karen thought it was cute." He chuckled at the memories.

Haley giggled, "Well, yes, it is cute. Oh my God, why didn't he take any steps if it's been that long?"

He snorted, "Because he's an idiot." He rolled his eyes, "Why did you say she likes him? Did she say that?"

She shook her head, "On the contrary, she's always on edge when Brooke mentions it, and she insists that she's not interested, which implies the opposite, you know what I mean?" he nodded in agreement, "Besides, she was really suspicious when she said she wants to visit him."

He nodded, "Yeah, and the way she was sad as she left, doesn't look like she doesn't care." He said as Haley nodded but let a laugh escape, "What?"

"Nothing, I just didn't take you to be into gossip." She laughed.

He rolled his eyes, "No one doesn't like gossiping." He narrowed his eyes.

"Sure, if that's what you say." She giggled once again.

"It's not like I'm conspiring to play a match-maker."

"Would you like to?" she raised an impressed eyebrow.

He actually thought about it for a moment, "I don't think that's wise at the time being."

"Oh my God, you want to. How cute!" she exclaimed.

"Shut up." he said but couldn't hide the smile, "I'm just… I'm looking forward to watch this story playing out." He justified.

"Still cute."

"That's not what every man would like to be described as." He groaned with a pout as she giggled.

"Well, you're not every man." She shrugged and it seemed enough to bring back that boyish goofy grin back on his face, "So, what do you think is the wise decision for now?"

"I think we should just watch closely, at the moment it seems complicated enough."

"Right, but we could always float ideas to them." she said with a mischievous grin.

He smiled, "Play with their minds you mean, no direct talk."

"Aha, exactly."

"I knew I picked the right one to fall in love with." He said with a smile and then realized what he just said causing his heart to pound and the smile to disappear.

"What?"

"What?"

"What did you just say?"

"Nothing." He was panicking as he shook his head.

"You said you-"

"No I didn't."

"You're in love with me?" she asked with wide eyes and he knew trouble are at the door; he said he'd be patient and not rush anything, and his mouth outran him once again saying things he shouldn't be saying.

"Haley, I know we said everything will be taken slow, I didn't mean to-" she cut him off by placing her lips over his much like he did earlier, although he was shocked, but he soon replied kissing her back, they have kissed before but it was always simple pecks or un-deepened kisses, nothing like this kiss, it was as if new-found passion was provoking them, it was intense, passionate, and sweat all at the same time, and Nathan honestly couldn't help wanting more, and to his surprise she gave him what he wanted opening her mouth as she moaned and he pushed forward making her back hit the tree as she put her hand over his cheek and snaking the other around his neck.

They pulled away out of breath, "Does that mean you're okay with it?" he asked panting.

She gulped, "It means that I may have the same feelings, Nathan." She bit her lip and he beamed.

"God, you're perfect." He said leaning forward to kiss her again. This time they broke their kiss due to the sound of thunder. "It looks like it's gonna rain."

"Let it rain." Haley shrugged.

"Yeah, it's not gonna ask for permission. We should go."

"But, we didn't open the bottle yet." She whined.

"Haley, we're going to get soaked, there's not a clear spot in the sky." He said looking up.

"Yeah, but we didn't finish our picnic yet."

"I think we established it's not really picnic season." He smirked and she childishly frowned at him making him roll his eyes, "We can drink it at home, Haley. Come on."

"But…" she was searching for an argue but he sent her a knowing look to which she groaned, "Fine."

They gathered everything in the basket and as Nathan held it in one hand and securing her hand in the other as they walked, "You know what I wish?" he said.

"What?"

"I wish I did have the time machine." He said referring to a conversation they had earlier when they were at her apartment the night they got together.

"What would you do with it?" she asked with a smile.

"I'd go back in time. Meet you way earlier, go through everything with you, take away all the pain you faced."

She scooted over hugging his arm as she laid her head over his shoulder with ease due to the height difference, "You're so sweat, Nathan."

"I wasn't always." He chuckled.

"I find that incredibly hard to believe."

"No, it's true, ask Lucas."

"He'd love to share stories about you, wouldn't he?" she smirked.

"You know, on second thought, don't ask him." He said and she giggled.

"Nathan, that was it right? What you kept unsaid from the other night; it was about your feelings, wasn't it?"

He chuckled, "Yes, it was. You just don't let go, do you?"

"No, never." She said seriously earning another chuckle from him.

"Well, well, look at this happy picture."

They stopped abruptly and looked to the side spotting no one other than the only duo that would show up to ruin a happy moment; Dan Shaw and Julian.

"Look at how happy they are, Julian." Dan said with a smirk on his face.

"What, is that a problem now?" Nathan asked.

"No, absolutely not. You should grab every opportunity of happiness; no one knows what will happen next."

"What does that supposed to mean? Are you going to send people to hurt me too?"

"I heard about your brother, that was such sorry news."

"As if it wasn't you." Nathan sarcastically pointed out.

"Now, why would I do that?"

"Cut, the crap, Dan, your mean said your name! Even if they didn't, no one but you would do it."

"How smart of you!" Dan said mocking sweetness, "Fine, I hurt your brother. What are you going to do with that piece of information, brave man?" he smirked.

Haley could feel Nathan tensing by every word Dan uttered, "What do you want, Dan?" she spat.

"Oh, Haley, you're becoming such a scratchy cat, aren't you?" he chuckled.

"Come on, Haley, this is stupid." Nathan said trying to keep himself collected.

"Where are you going, brave boy?" Dan said and Julian blocked their way with a smile, "It's not every day that we meet to catch up."

"What do you want, Dan? Just spell out what you want."

"Don't you want to know why I hurt your brother?"

"Oh, you'll pay for that, trust me!" Nathan said with clenched fists and a threatening step closer as Haley tightened her grip around his arm trying to pull him back.

"He crossed his lines." Dan said ignoring him, "He has been bothering my God daughter; Peyton Sawyer, and trying to get access to something that's not his." He elaborated.

"She's not an object, you sick-" Haley frowned coming in defense to her friend but Dan cut her off not allowing her to complete her sentence yet again ignoring whatever she's saying,

"And I don't like it when someone goes behind my back." He said threateningly eyeing Haley.

Nathan blocked his vision of Haley by stepping in front of her and frowning at him, "You don't own anyone, here, Dan. And this town is no longer under your hands."

Dan laughed, "Oh, boy, you are one dreamy brave boy, aren't you?" he chuckled before turning his intense gaze to him once again, "It sure is, Scott, and trust me, it will always be." He confirmed assuring, "Now, your brother's accident was just a warning, to both of you not just him."

"We are not by any means intrigued by you. Dan." Nathan said calmly with a smile.

"I like your confidence, always found it admirable, but I'd be cautious if I were you, you wouldn't know where's the next strike going to be," he said and Julian pulled out a gun, "Wither it will be at you," he said as Julian pointed the gun towards Nathan, "or at someone you love." He finished and Julian shifted the gun towards Haley with a provoking smirk directed at Nathan who was having a hard time not to take this whole scheme personal until this point.

He was looking at Dan with such hatred with his clenched fist and Haley's worried grip tugging him back, but when he looked at Julian's smirk that was basically saying 'stop me if you can' while he pointed the gun at Haley, he couldn't take it, he shrugged Haley's hand off as she squeaked and he kicked the gun out of Julian's hand and was quick to send him a punch square to the jaw right after. He then picked up the gun from the ground re-directing it towards Dan.

"I am not scared by you." He said through gritted teeth, "It's in fact the other way around, and that you are right about; you should be scared, Dan." Nathan threatened.

"What are you going to shoot me?"

"Nathan, don't. Let's just go." Haley said tugging his shoulders back but he wouldn't budge.

"You wouldn't do it; you're not that daring, just like your brother is, and just like your father was… Keith. Oh, pardon me, that wasn't even your father; you're a bastard."

"Don't listen to him, Nathan, you're not like him. Drop it and let's go."

Nathan was sure getting worked up by every word said, and the stupid smirk Dan wore or the way Julian was standing casually with his hands on his waist watching in amusement didn't help.

"Nathan, please." She pleaded.

"Listen to your woman, Nathan." Dan advised, "You wouldn't live with the consequences."

"Nathan, come on, please, let's go."

Nathan's finger was already on the trigger, but he took a deep breath and finally put his hand down throwing the gun away on the grass looking at Dan with hatred and meeting his growing smirk, "I'm not like you. But, I promise you'll pay for all of it, Shaw." He said bitterly and grabbed Haley's hand walking away and she breathed a sigh of relief hurrying behind Nathan to get away from it all.

XxXx

Peyton Sawyer's head wasn't at peace, she has ignored her ringing land line, her mailbox and any plans she has made as she stayed home for the day following her visit to Lucas Scott; for the sole reason that she was scared, not of Dan, not of Lucas and not of anyone but herself.

She didn't understand what was happening, she caught herself being sad when Lucas didn't believe her, and she shouldn't, she has been telling him that she doesn't care, that she wants nothing but him out of her life, and there it was, after he gave her the promise to never bother her again, he went on hating her too, and it didn't make her happy.

He hated her for something she didn't do; and she couldn't help but see the irony of fate, he has been claiming that she accused him wrongfully too, and she chose not to believe him, however, the tables have turned now and she got a taste of her own medicine, and she couldn't help but wonder if she has been misjudging all along.

She sure hated the feeling when he believed she actually told Dan, and if she has been doing the same to him all this time, then he's probably never going to believe nor forgive her, and she was going crazy because she didn't know why the hell she cares.

So, what if Lucas Scott never believed her? What if he never forgave her? What if he never looked in her face again? Isn't this what she wanted? Or has she gotten used to the attention he's giving her? God! That would be desperate of her, not to mention unfair to him.

Between still feeling guilty, wanting him to believe her, wondering why she cares, and looking for answers, Peyton acted upon her worst judgments and after debating wither to do it for the whole day of yesterday, Peyton finally decided to pay him another visit.

It was the middle of the day, and from what she knows, they would be now at the club getting ready for the night's show, which meant he'd probably be alone, or worst case scenario Mouth would be there with him, either of which, she wouldn't find a better time to talk to him and settle this thing once and for all.

She took a deep breath and knocked on the front door, she waited for a few moments and no one opened, she knocked again harder and waited but still no one answered. She was about to leave when an idea invaded her mind; what if he's in there, alone, and in pain? Or something wrong happened to him? She can't have something happening to him once again just because she didn't make sure, she can't add more to the guilt.

She took the chance and twisted the doorknob, and luckily, it was unlocked. She slowly pushed the door open with a squeak and it was enough to let him know someone is at the door, if he hadn't heard the knocking.

"Lucas?" she called softly stepping inside while the house was still dead silent. She closed the door behind her and folded her umbrella, she was going to leave it by the door but then decided to keep it with her; after all, Dan could have sent someone to finish the job, this could be her weapon.

She looked around and there was still no sign of life, she began to think he has left, maybe he decided to go back to work, but then as she approached the staircase leading to the second floor, she heard a faint voice of the radio and shuffling around. She held her umbrella high and carefully walked up the stairs with her back to the wall.

She followed the voice and her heart raced as she became sure someone is moving inside the room. The door was cracked open, and she approached it slowly trying not to make any sounds; she thought she'd look incredibly ridiculous if it was just Lucas or Nathan.

She pushed the door, "Lucas?" she called softly and as she pushed the door carefully with the umbrella and came face to face with the blond man as both jumped in fear, Peyton's reflex being holding the umbrella high ready to attack.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry, Lucas, I was… I knocked, and you didn't answer, so, I thought… I was worried, I mean…" she was absolutely correct about being ridiculous.

"What are you doing?" he digressed eyeing her umbrella.

"This… I thought maybe, someone was here, so, I was saving you."

"With an umbrella?" he asked sarcastically in disbelief.

"Yeah!" she confirmed.

"You wanted to tackle someone, probably double your size, with an umbrella?"

"I… I could poke it at his eyes." She said in confidence and he couldn't but laugh.

"What are you doing here, Ms. Sawyer?"

Peyton couldn't believe she's about to say it, and she knew he'd think she's crazy too, if not want to tackle her himself, "You can call me Peyton."

And as expected, he looked at her with an open mouth and disbelieving eyes, he then diverted his eyes away and shook his head, "What do you want?" he asked more boldly, "Why are you back?"

"I was hoping… can we talk?" she requested looking at him, and suddenly realized he's shirtless; he's upper half was mostly covered in bandage around his shoulder and over his chest, but she could see the muscles on his other bare shoulder and it made her blush, "I'm sorry, I didn't realize… you were changing, right? I can meet you downstairs – if you want to, I mean, willing to talk… Well, I'll be in the kitchen… or, wait, do you need help?" she rambled and stuttered and once she offered, her cheeks reddened even more and she prayed he'd say no, or ignore the question at all.

"You can wait for me in the kitchen." He said and she didn't waste any time to leave downstairs. Lucas couldn't hold the smile any longer, he wouldn't deny that this was amusing, and it was beyond his expectations to turn around only to find Peyton Sawyer in his room, not to mention, acting the way she is; it fulfilled his long gone dreams, but, he can't ignore the fact that this is all of a sudden, he can't let his hopes go anywhere, this girl has been asking him to leave her alone for as long as they have exchanged words, and she made it very clear she wants nothing to do with him, now, there must be a reason for her visit, but he doesn't know what it could be.

So, with a little bit of struggle, he put a shirt on and went downstairs to find her waiting for him in the kitchen as promised, "So, why am I being rewarded this visit of yours?" He asked taking a seat perpendicular from hers at the head of the table.

She looked up at him with concern, "How are you?" when she was upstairs, she saw bruises; she saw the full damage of the attack.

"Fine. But, that's not why you're here." He said with temper, he didn't understand what was going on with her sudden concern.

She took a deep breath, "You know, right? That it was Dan? Behind the attack." she hardly brought her eyes up to meet his, however, he was looking at her trying to figure out what is going inside her head.

"I do." he nodded. "Is that it? Do you want me not to go to the sheriff?"

"What? No, God, no, Lucas."

"Then why are you here? Because I can't think of a rational reason when you have been screaming at me to stop following you around, now you pay me two visits in two days? What do you want, Peyton?"

"I want you to believe me, Lucas, I didn't tell Dan, I had nothing to do with it, I swear, I would have never told him." She said sincerely. "And… I guess I owe you an apology."

"For what?"

"For being so mean to you the last conversation." She said and he raised an eyebrow at her, "Well, the last few conversations, or actually all the time." She corrected.

"Why now?" he wasn't mad, rather confused.

"I don't know." She shook her head, "But, I'm starting to see things differently."

"This is…" he shook his head and stopped; he didn't know what it was, he didn't understand.

"Lucas, do you believe me?"

"Why? Why does it matter? I thought you didn't care."

"I thought so too… but obviously…" she trailed off and changed the sentence, "I want to understand, Lucas."

"Understand what?"

"I… I acted this way because I believed you wanted to use me against Dan… please tell me the truth, have I been right?"

"No! Not that it makes any difference; I kept telling you that it's not who I am and it never did." He said bitterly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't understand this until you thought something of me that I'd never do too."

"What gave you this idea in the first place?" he wondered in annoyance of the thought.

She opened her mouth and closed it once again looking down escaping his look.

"What?" he questioned before it dawned on him, "It's Dan isn't it? He told you that?"

"He… he believes so." She said and he nodded sucking his tongue; she was still defending Dan or at least rationalizing his acts, but to him, it wasn't negotiable; Dan is pure evil, case dismissed.

"Of course he does." He dismissed.

"Then… why, Lucas?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you want to talk to me? I mean, since it isn't for what I thought…"

It was his turn to look down in anticipation, "Nothing, I just wanted to know you like I said." He mumbled still looking down.

"I'm sorry, but this isn't convincing; you went through a lot of trouble and dealt with me being this mean to you just because you want to know me?" she shook her head.

He groaned in annoyance, "What does it matter? You said you don't like me and I promised to never bother you again, it's over." He snapped.

She sighed, "I know, I know that's what I said, but suddenly, it doesn't feel like what I want." She bit her lower lip and his head flew up to look at her with a frown, "You don't have to," she quickly said, "you don't have to tell me anything, I understand it's unfair of me to keep pushing you away and then suddenly require something else." She clarified hesitantly her nervousness showing as she kept rubbing her hands together over the table.

"Why?" he shook his head now calmer, "Why are you asking now?"

"Because, something feels wrong, and I know this is not your problem, but I… I want to understand what was going in your head, Lucas." She said and took a deep breath, "I believe you, I… I think I have always believed you, I just… I don't know why I chose not to." She was surprising not only him but herself with her words; she hasn't thought about it this way until this moment as she talked to him; she knew she would be able to understand better when she talks, but the things she's realizing and how easily they are coming to her were scary.

Lucas thought this was it, he has imagined this to be a lot different, the moment he tells her about his feelings; he'd imagined it to be at the peak of their feelings towards one another, a moment of rebirth, a beautiful moment, not a moment of finalizing what never started, it's over anyway, he's still standing by the promise he'd made, and nothing will change, however, she's demanding an explanation just like he demanded one for her visit, so, he's going to give her the truth. After all, how can he not when she's setting across from him looking like a lost puppy constantly biting her lower lip and looking up at him with her big green eyes as if wondering if he wants to kill her yet, and still managing to look so damn beautiful? He didn't stand a chance.

"Do you remember the night I… the night you slapped me?" he said being selective with his words.

She blushed but ignored it clearing her throat with a small nod; for some reason, her heart was racing at the moment waiting on edge for his explanation.

"Remember what I said right before that?" he asked in a low voice not knowing how he's going to say it after all this years, he was already disappointed that this is it, this is how it's ending, but he has made a mess, and now he's wrapping it all up.

Peyton remembers, of course she does, his words have haunted her ever since and she couldn't explain them, but she has made them be another reason for strongly disliking him thinking of how he's willing to go lengths to make her believe him, he has said he wants them to know each other and that he wants to have everything with her, and she never understood what's everything.

"It's… I mean, it's not a new thing."

"What isn't?"

"Me wanting to… talk to you."

"I don't understand."

"Well, this is about to get awkward," he said and gulped before glancing at her and then averting his eyes away again, "I… have, I have been… well, when we were kids…"

She narrowed her eyes with a smile at his desperate attempts of a sentence, "What? What is it?" she asked softly.

He took another deep breath, "What I'm trying to say is, I have – had feeling for you… ever since we were kids."

"Oh," was the only response she could come up with, her heart rate now rocketing.

"Yeah,"

"I never-"

"I know. I used to watch you with your mom, and I used to wait for you to pass by, weekly on Sundays and occasionally when you were going to the market or for whatever reason…"

"That's…"

"You don't have to say anything, you wanted to know why; that's the only reason I'm telling you." He was looking down, he couldn't believe he just told her in fact.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why me?"

"I don't have an answer for that." He frowned; he wasn't about to tell her that he thought she's above people, or that she was his angel, or that he never saw any other girl nearly as beautiful, no, he wasn't going to tell her that.

She on the other hand, couldn't believe it; she couldn't believe Brooke was right all along, she couldn't believe it was possible. How? How would it be true and she never caught on?

"You used to watch me?" she frowned and he wanted nothing more than to disappear right now; his heart ached for the fact that he's telling her his feelings knowing that this will forever be their last conversation.

"Yeah," he chuckled looking down, "In fact, at the risk of sounding creepier than I already do, you had a dress similar to this." he said referring to her current dress she's wearing; it was the last one Bernice made her, the white one that reminded her of her childhood.

She looked down at the dress and then back at him in astonishment; how could he remember something like that?

"I did." She whispered.

"Yeah, it looked good on you. Still does." He mumbled awkwardly looking away, and she felt a smile creep on her lips.

"For the record though, if it still matters, I believe you, Peyton." He told her in an attempt to divert the direction of the conversation to focus on something else but his many memories of her.

"You do?"

"Yes, I do."

"But, it's still because of me."

"It's not your fault; you're not the one who told him."

"I'm not, I swear." She jumped with wide eyes as he let out a chuckle.

"I know."

"And I don't know who did."

"It doesn't matter." He shook his head. "It's over anyway."

She wanted to ask him if he was planning on reporting Dan, and she wanted to ask if his bruises hurt, and if he'd like any help, but this was all inappropriate; she still feels the tension all around them, it has been there since she showed up and only doubled since his revelation, the revelation that she'd have to really think about. She believes him this time though, she found it so easy to do so; and that was the problem, he is not lying and he never has.

She nodded and stood up as he mirrored the action using his left hand for support against the table, "I think I should go."

"Sure." He said walking her to the front door getting ready to say goodbye; probably the last words they'd ever exchange.

However, the blond girl stood by the door looking at him with her green big eyes, and she began to imagine the kind of pain he must be in, the physical pain or the emotional one, she was still wrapping her head around it, and she doesn't know if she will ever be able to, but, saying it alone must be hard for him, and she felt like she wanted to take it all away; the pain.

It was a quick impulsive gesture when she leaned forward and dropped a soft kiss on his cheek, she returned back to her position and gave him another look which he met with a confused stare, "Bye, Lucas." She managed to get out with big horrified eyes before leaving him high and dry.

Peyton Sawyer came to this house lost and demanding answers, whilst she got the answers to everything, including those about her own feelings, she left a very perplexed Lucas Scott with a thousand questions arising every second.

XxXx

Peyton walked in at Karen's that night and found Brooke sitting by the bar with Millie whom she has met a couple of times at Brooke's house, they were sitting with a guy Peyton vaguely recognized as the guy who was with Lucas the night they visited him. She decided to join them not failing to scan the hall as she approached them. She knows he won't be there, but she still couldn't help but hope. She was supposed to stay the night at home scared to show her face around; and that was what she intended to do at first, but the more she spent time thinking about it, the more she was tempted to go. She was still lost from what she has heard only earlier that day, and she wanted to figure out more.

"Oh, isn't it the long lost princess." Brooke said her tone dripping with sarcasm as she noticed her.

"I'm sorry." Peyton gave her a smile to which she rolled her eyes.

"You ditched me yesterday."

"I'm sorry, I was…" she trailed off not knowing what to say.

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah, you were mourning over the fact it didn't go well with your boy." She stated and this time Peyton didn't even have anything to say to disagree; because it was true, "Anyway, I'll give you a pass this time, Peyton Sawyer, I believe you haven't properly met Marvin." She introduced.

"Hi, nice to meet you, Marvin."

"Likewise. But call me Mouth, everybody does."

"So, why did you decide to show up?" Brooke asked Peyton as she sat next her.

She shrugged, "Nothing, Brooke." She was watching her closely; she wondered if she knew about her own visit earlier that same day to Lucas, if she did, Brooke won't ever hesitate to bring it up, even in front of Mouth and Millie.

Brooke looked over at the other two who were already back at the conversation they were having before Peyton's arrival and then looked back at Peyton with an overly excited grin.

"Don't they look cute together?"

"What? Are they…?"

"That's in the process, but, it's a fit, don't you think?" she said excitedly and Peyton laughed, she had a point.

"Yes, they are. Are you playing a match-maker again, Brooke?"

"It's only the best thing in the world." She shrugged.

This night, Haley and Chris' collaboration show was supposed to be performed according to the schedule, and they were already late but then Nathan was on stage announcing that unfortunately there has been a change in plans and it would only be Haley tonight doing her own show, and as Haley ascended the stage Nathan descended it and made his way behind the bar to stop in front of them leaning over it with a sigh while he intertwined his hands together.

"You were right, Mouth, apparently, the incident this morning wasn't all what Dan had up his sleeve." He sighed addressing Mouth.

Mouth has filled him in instantly the day before of what he has heard Dan saying; he never heard what it was he was planning, but Dan wanted to hurt the Scotts, he knew that much and he came to warn them immediately.

Nathan has told him and Skillz of what happened this morning with Dan, and Mouth has suspected that it didn't look like all what Dan had in mind, besides, he didn't know who he was talking to, but it wasn't Julian.

"Why? What happened?" Mouth asked.

"Chris Keller. He has left us to The Comet." He announced.

"Chris Keller! Right! It was him. I should have recognized the voice. Sorry, Nate."

"What? It was him?" Nathan asked and then let out another sarcastic chuckle; he never liked him, but he never thought he'd step that low.

"Sorry, I don't know how I didn't recognize the voice." Mouth apologized guiltily.

Nathan shook his head patting his arm, "No, it wasn't your fault, you gave me the warning anyway." He reassured him.

"Uh, what's going on? I don't understand?" Brooke inquired looking between them as they filled them on what Mouth has witnessed.

"Oh my God!" Peyton's eyes widened; she couldn't believe Dan was still conspiring, she hasn't spoken to him since that fight after Lucas' accident and she wasn't planning to any time soon. "Wait, you mentioned an incident, what incident?" she cocked her eyebrows not knowing if she's ready to hear what else Dan did.

Nathan sighed and contemplated wither or not to tell her, after all, he's her family, but, that's probably why he should tell her, so he went on explaining how he and Julian made a scene earlier.

"God, he's gone crazy!" she mumbled with a horrified expression, "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault, Peyton." He frowned.

"But, it is." She said with gathering tears, "This is probably because of me. He is not going to stop." She said shaking her head, "I should go." She said and hopped of her chair quickly taking a bee line out of the place, is Dan going to hurt everyone around her now? She vividly remembers him saying he was glad she was making friends, and now he's scaring them off? Hasn't she made it clear where she stands with his violent acts? Or does he think she will not find out?

Is this really it? Does she have to stay away from everyone to keep them safe from Dan's evil hands?

And to think she's stupidly thought she could start to live a normal life, to open her eyes with her heart and actually call out her trapped feelings; she thought she's trapped those feelings in order not to get her, but it seems as she becoming to realize, that it wasn't her who trapped those feelings, apparently it is Dan who's driving her to do so.

On the other hand, Brooke had been awfully quiet as she heard Nathan's story of the day's events, now she didn't have anything to do with that one, but she was –is in direct contact with Dan, the man who keeps hurting her friends one after the other, and Julian? She has come to see a side of him that she never thought she would.

That night, two night ago exactly, when they in the spur of the moment ended up in her bed, she knows she wouldn't have done it unless she saw something different, not the same jackass that follows Dan around, although that is still true, but, there is more to him, even if he doesn't know it, she saw it flicker through his eyes before he kissed her, behind the desire, behind the lust, she saw it, not him caring for her, but rather the goodness in him that triggered the care.

So, it deeply irritated her that Dan was dragging him around in his dirty disgusting schemes.

When Mouth walked her and Millie home that night, she was planning to go to bed right away, with her mind still clouded with all those thoughts, she wanted to pay Dan another visit; she didn't care what he has against her, he obviously needed her, and if he does, then he is going to play by her terms not his.

However she didn't have to wait to the morning, because when she walked in her house, he was already there waiting for her with Julian.

"What are you trespassing now?" she said standing in front of his with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow.

"Is that really a crime?" he smiled.

She scoffed, "Of course not in your book! By the way, is it like your new hobby to go after my friends?"

"No, it's not, but it sounds like an interesting one."

"Why did you go after Nathan and Haley?"

"What? Have they been whining about me already?"

"What do you want form them? You said Lucas was because of Peyton, so, what do you want now?"

"I never hurt them, did I?" He shrugged, "In fact, it was your dear friend who punched Julian and directed a gun at us."

She chuckled humorlessly, "Are you playing the victim now?" she said and looked at Julian with a fierce glare and he strangely found himself avoiding her eyes in shame; Julian was never ashamed!

"I'm not playing anything, I'm just stating facts." He said simply, "I was only having a conversation with them."

"I'm sure you were." She scoffed, "Listen, you are going to stay away from my friends."

"Or what?" he smirked.

"Or, I'll tell everyone about you."

"Doesn't everyone already know?" he laughed and she found it all the more irritating.

"No, not the police."

"Do you think that is an issue for me?" he laughed again, "Anyway, Brooke, I need you to do something for me." He said and she gawked in disbelief, "I think that Peyton is feeling… let's say sorry for Lucas Scott."

"I wonder why." She said sarcastically and he ignored her.

"Now, I fear that she will try to get closer to him driven by this false instinct."

"So, what if she does?"

"I don't want her to get hurt."

"Oh, don't worry; Lucas wouldn't hurt her if his life depended on it."

"Brooke," he stood up and put a hand over her shoulder, "I don't want Lucas near Peyton, is it clear?"

"Maybe you should stop worrying about Lucas and start worrying about her hating you instead?"

"She will never."

"Oh yeah? I bet she will pay you a visit soon, she knew what you did, Dan."

"That's right, she already did, and we will be good, don't you worry." He patted her cheek and she swatted his hand away angrily, "Now, I want you to prevent her from coming anywhere near Lucas."

"And how am I supposed to do that? I'm not her guardian."

"You'll find a way."

"I hope you know that it is your own actions that drove her towards Lucas, if she does have any interest now, that's only after your genius attack." She smirked at him.

"Like I said, don't worry about me Brooke, find a way to stop Peyton to go anywhere near him, got it?" he rubbed her arm and turned around.

"I'm not going to." She called after him.

"Yes, you will."

"And if I don't?"

"Have you told Lucas that he was beaten up because of you yet?" he asked and she frowned at him feeling petrified, once again, Dan Shaw is outsmarting her, but she'll find a way, she has to, "Yeah, I didn't think so." He said and left with Julian behind him.

Julian stopped at the door and looked at her briefly a guilty look; he didn't get why he felt like he needed to explain himself to her, but her glare with the raised eyebrow at him did this, and he was going to have to find a way out of it.

Brooke wasn't going to give in though, she has made a decision and she is going to stand by it, she will not allow Dan to hurt her friends, but first, she has to get to know his plans, or how he's thinking or aiming at, by any costs, now, there's a way but it is going to take a little bit of time to get in action, however, it was granted, she never failed at the game of hunting men.

Thank you so much for keeping the comments, it really makes my day to know what you guys think of it. Now, I know you want more Naley and there are going to be more from now on, everything is falling in place with them and everyone else, the confusion is being cleared out and plans are in process, and that's how drama is going to ignite. And as for Pyeton, I know she was a bitch, and somehow still is, but her actions are going to be clarified, and I agree, Lucas shouldn't let her off the hook so soon, but we'll see.

Let me know what you thought of this chapter please, I didn't have much time to properly check for writing mistakes, but I will soon, I just couldn't wait to share it, I can't wait to share next chapter with you either.

By the way, I have another story in progress, it's a short one, but, I'm in love with the idea, expect it soon, if you're interested. Thank you all :)